Northern view: Christmas kill coming to an end

Cattle quotes this week have moved up at one plant, with 4p added to its steer quote and 6p to its heifer quote.

As a result, best quotes are now 344p/kg for U-3 grade steers and 346p/kg for heifers.

With pre-Christmas kills at the factories coming to an end this week, it might take some of the recent upward momentum out of the trade. Others are trying to talk future prices down. However, with finished cattle harder to come by this week, farmers remain in a strong selling position.

Slightly tighter numbers is reflected in the total kill last week, which was down 234 head to 9,368. Within that, the prime kill was down 334 head to 6,434, the lowest weekly kill of prime cattle since September.

In terms of prices being paid, reports suggest that up to 350p/kg is still widely available for regular suppliers, but there is a growing reluctance to pay much above this level.

Last week, the prices paid were up again to average 341.06p/kg, the highest weekly average for steers and heifers so far this year. U3 steers and heifers averaged 352.2p and 354.9p/kg respectively.

Cross-border and cross-channel trade last week was at a very low level. The number of cattle coming in from the south for slaughter dropped substantially to only 45 head. Trade in the opposite direction was 86 head, down by 40 on the previous week. With the price gap between NI and Britain now 10p to 20p/kg for the better conformation grades, the trade across to Britain for slaughter was only 43 head, down by 67.

Cow trade

One plant has put 10p on its quotes for fat cows and the best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 250p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is at 260p/kg, with others on 250p/kg, although farmers report that up to 274p/kg is on offer.

Lamb trade

The factories are now quoting to 22kg deadweight and their quote is 375p, which is an increase of 5p/kg.

In the marts, although the euro has weakened by a further half a cent, demand from the south is strong and prices have increased or have been maintained.

Kilrea had 340 lambs (10 lambs fewer than last week) selling from 336p to 353p, up by 2p to 10p/kg.

Massereene sold 1,056 lambs (114 fewer) making from 340p to 368p, up by 5p/kg.

Saintfield had a big sale of 1,024 (343 more) and they made from 320p to 388p, little change from last week.

In Rathfriland, there was a big sale with 1,150 lambs (70 more) and trade was steady. Prices averaged 342p/kg, little changed from last week. The range was from 330p to 387p/kg. Top fat prices went to £88 for 27kg, with £85 paid for 25 kg and £75 paid for 21kg.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes is good, with some marts seeing improved top prices. Top in Newtownstewart was £82; in Omagh £115 for a big show of 258 ewes; in Swatragh was £65; in Kilrea was £79; in Massereene was £91; and in Saintfield was £90/head. In Rathfriland, the top was £73 for 115 ewes sold.